Cover for notification, channeling, or delineator device

ABSTRACT

Covers for notification, channeling, or delineator devices used to provide notification of immediately proximate or upcoming events, to channel or otherwise direct/redirect traffic flow, or to delineate areas where egress is permitted from areas where egress is not permitted. These covers are generally sized to be disposed on channelizer drums, delineators, cones, barriers, or other channeling devices, are removably securable to such devices, are capable of conveying or communicating information, and can provide alert, information, and/or message communication(s) conveyance to motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, or pedestrians.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/819,707, filed Aug. 15, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/794,123, filed Feb. 18, 2020, now abandoned, andclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/807,367, filed Feb. 19, 2019, and to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/858,821, filed Jun. 7, 2019, and to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/905,292, filed Sep. 24, 2019, and to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/930,546, filed Nov. 4, 2019, each of which is incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Roads, highways, interstates, intersections and related pedestrianand/or motorized and non-motorized vehicle thoroughfares often receivedeposits of a variety of Permanent or Temporary Traffic Control Devices(“TCD”(s)) to inform, guide, or warn motorists/pedestrians and vehicleusers or to direct motorists/pedestrians and vehicle users into specificactions (as examples, e.g. “stop” or “go” lights or signs, delineationor channelization devices), to provide verbal or non-verbalcommunication or announcements, to alert motorists to specificconditions or events (e.g. “caution” barricades, cones, delineators,drums, signs, etc.), or to channelize (convey or direct) motorists intospecific pathways (e.g. channelizing barricades, cones, delineators,drums, signs, etc.). One ubiquitous TCD provided in road constructionzones are channelizer drums that typically are strategically andintentionally placed to create or otherwise alert and channelizemotorists or pedestrians into safe pathways, e.g. to bypass or flowthrough construction zones. While channelizer drums are often providedin a bright color (typically orange) and often include reflective areas,such channelizer drums typically fail to provide any additionalinformation, guidance or cautionary warnings or directives (e.g. slowdown or proceed with caution).

SUMMARY

Covers for notification, channeling, or delineation devices are detailedin this disclosure. The covers can be used to provide notification ofimmediately proximate or upcoming events, can be used to channel orotherwise direct/redirect traffic flow, and can delineate areas whereingress or egress is permitted or not permitted.

The covers detailed herein expand the capabilities of a single orlimited purpose device (e.g. the use of a conventional channelizer drumconveys essentially caution, alert, delineating, or channelizing) toform a device with a cover that is capable of a plurality ormultiplicity of purposes, e.g. barrier, caution, condition, event,guidance, directional indication, safety, communication, conveyance,advertising, etc. Additionally, the covers detailed herein can be usedin a process of communicating additional information, such as sequentialor progressive alerts, methods of covering drums in a sequence orprogression at specific points in an array of covers at a site, or othermethods. These covers could be utilized to enhance safety forpedestrians, motorists, workers, public safety personnel, contractors,mowers, event staff, etc.

The covers detailed herewithin can provide alert, information, and/ormessage communication(s) conveyance to motorists or pedestrians, whichmay be as simple as visual alerts by channelizer cover color coding(e.g. when approaching an accident or crash scene, yellow covers can beused on a series of channelizer drums leading to the crash site and thena different color of cover, red for example, can be used at or proximatethe crash site to provide a visual identification of heightenedawareness by motorists approaching the crash site of the accidentscene). These covers can then be removed from the accident scene whenthe area has been cleared, e.g. by emergency personnel. Additionally, oroptionally, the covers can mirror or mimic the color/reflective designor pattern of the drum itself (e.g. a non-compliant deployed drum“repair” cover), be a different design or pattern, or can be furthervisually enhanced by symbols or text or illumination on or about thechannelizer cover. Optionally, the covers can be audibly enhanced toemit or otherwise transmit or relay electronic sound, or radio frequencymodulation of sounds, sound bites or verbal messages, by means of analogor digital or otherwise radio frequency transmission. If visual oraudible enhancements are provided, such enhancements can be delivered asa local announcement or can be broadcast or transmitted to devicescapable of receiving such analog or digital or otherwise radio frequencymessages or signals, such as cellular phones, to vehicles directly, orover wi-fi networks approaching the channelizer cover. As anotherexample of visual or audible enhancements, covers providing analog,digital, wi-fi or otherwise radio frequency broadcasts or signals ortransmissions could be linked to traffic controllers, traffic engineers,contractors, public safety or department of transportation personnel ortheir designates or their equipment or systems to provide special alertsor conditions or data or otherwise vital or non-vital communications toenhance safety and awareness.

The cover(s) detailed herewithin can be used in locations for a shorttime period (e.g. to cover a channelizing drum during a sporting eventor to redirect traffic after a car wreck) or can be used in locationsfor a longer time period (e.g. to redirect traffic from two lanes intoone lane while a section of the road is being worked on or to redirectpedestrians while a building is being refaced). The covers can beprovided in any color, including federal, state, or local DOT approvedcolors, and can include indicia, illumination, print, symbols,transparencies, displays, reflective surfaces, or other textual andverbal or non-verbal communications (e.g. text, images, symbols, shapes,logos, instructions, guidance, enlightenment, or other textual andverbal or non-verbal communications).

The cover(s) can include receiver/transmitter devices or properties torelay information thereon or therefrom, nearby or to off-site locationsor personnel or devices.

The cover(s) can include illumination device(s) or feature(s) tooptically enhance conveyance, communication, display, or visibility(e.g. illuminating LED's, lights, yarn, reflective, retroreflective, orluminescent elements, surfaces, yarn, print or dyes, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the example embodiments described hereinwill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure relates upon reading the following description, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a prior art channelizer drum.

FIGS. 1B though 1E show cover embodiments in varying lengths and endclosure options.

FIG. 1F shows embodiments of cover sections.

FIG. 2 shows one exemplary method or process 30 of forming a cover for achannelizer drum or barrel.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate exemplary method or process 60 of forming acover for a channelizer drum or barrel.

FIG. 4 shows various exemplary symbols that can be applied to achannelizer drum cover.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary application of a channelizer drum cover.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method or process of forming a cover for atraffic cone or other conical shape.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary application of a traffic cone cover.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary method or process of forming a cover for aJ-Barrier or similar shaped barrier or barricade.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary application of a J-Barrier cover.

FIGS. 10-11 show additional exemplary covers for channelizer drums.

FIGS. 12-15 show exemplary embodiments of traffic control devicechannelizer drum covers, including retroreflective materials laminatedto a textile.

FIGS. 16-17 show additional exemplary covers for traffic cones, grabcones, or delineators.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method of forming a cover.

One exemplary cover 10 is shown in FIG. 1B disposed over a channelizerdrum 5, a prior art version of a channelizer drum in FIG. 1A. As shownin FIG. 1B, the exemplary cover 10 comprises a material sheet orsubstrate, and can be formed, for example, with first and second endsconnected to form a sleeve or other substantially cylindrical toroidalshape with two open ends, with one open end and one closed end, or caninclude additional end(s). The sleeve and ends can be formed in adesired size that can be secured around, onto, or to a desired shape. Inorder to use, an open end of the cover can be slid over an end of thechannelizer drum and moved over the channelizer drum to cover at least aportion of the channelizer drum with one end of the cover at one end ofthe channelizer drum and with the other end of the cover at the otherend of the channelizer drum. Either end of the cover can include anattachment or securement means to retain, at least temporarily,robustly, semi-permanently, or permanently, the cover 10 on or to thechannelizer drum. The attachment or securement means can comprise anyfastener, for example, elastic, binding, piping, hook and loopfasteners, strap(s), Velcro®, snaps, trims, molded fasteners, j-channelfasteners, u-channel fasteners, molded flexible fasteners or strips,pieces or portions of the same or different material, secondary materialattachments, rigid or semi-rigid materials, hooks and/or combinations ofthese and other custom or non-custom fasteners or fastening devices ordevices providing maximum fastening or light fastening. Examples offasteners usable in the covers detailed herewithin can include fastenersof YKK, Tokyo, Japan (www.ykk.com), ITW Nexus North America, Frankfort,IL (na.itwnexus.com), Trivantage, Glen Raven, NC (www.trivantage.com),Fasnap, Elkhart, IN (www.fasnap.com), and/or DOT Fasteners or ScovillFasteners, Clarksville, GA, (www.dotfasteners.com). In one arrangement,elastic can be secured to the open ends of the cover, e.g. by folding alength of elastic over a portion of the cover and securing the elasticto the cover or by folding a portion of the cover to form a pocket intowhich a length of elastic can be disposed with the folded portion of thecover able to be secured to retain the elastic in the pocket. Oralternatively an elastic can be secured to the open ends of the cover,by applying a length of elastic over a portion of the cover and securingthe elastic to the cover. The elastic can be secured onto, to, or withinthe cover by fasteners, glue, staples, sewing, fusing, radio frequencywelding, sonic welding, snapping, tacking, thermal welding, weaving,zipping, or combinations of these. Optionally, the cover can be formedwith only one open end, two open ends, one open end and one closed end,or with two closed ends as desired. Or alternatively, the cover can beformed with an upper and lower portion or smaller portion or pluralityof portions. Additionally, the cover 10 can be dyed, printed, embossed,sewn, or otherwise provided with appropriate or required size, single,or multiple message(s), pattern(s), logo(s), or symbol(s) as indicatedat 20 in FIG. 1B. The cover 10 can be sized to cover the bottom of achannelizer drum as shown in FIG. 1C. Once the cover 10 is disposed on achannelizer drum, if the cover 10 includes an open end, the open end canprovide access to a channelizer drum's integrated handle or to a coverperimeter edge, which can allow the cover to be readily and easilygrasped and removed from the channelizer drum. Alternatively, the cover10 can be closed adjacent the handle as shown in FIG. 1D and/or can besized to allow access to a channelizer drum's integrated handle from aclosed end of a cover without removing the cover 10 from the drum. FIG.1E shows a blank full cover disposed on a channelizer drum.

Alternatively, the cover can be formed as a wrap that can be wrappedaround or about a channelizer drum and secured at least temporarily tothe channelizer drum. If formed as a wrap, the wrap can includesecurement elements that can assist in securing or retaining the wraponto, around, or about the channelizer drum, with such securementelements attaching at least part of the wrap to itself, or attaching atleast one part of the wrap to the channelizer drum, or attaching atleast part of the wrap to itself and to the channelizer drum.

The cover(s) could include any number of sections or subsections thatare secured or otherwise attached or attachable together. For example,as shown in FIG. 1F, if an exemplary channelizer drum has a height of 36or 40 inches, a cover section 25 could be formed as a sleeve with aheight of 10 or 12 inches. The cover section 25 could then be disposedover the top of the drum and moved toward the bottom of the drum to adesired distance from the end of the drum. Additional cover sections 25could be added onto the drum, e.g. to be disposed in a pattern or todelineate a particular feature, symbol, warning, direction barricade,guidance, message, or logo. The cover sections 25 could be attachable toeach other or can remain disparate sections. The cover sections 25 canbe attachable over a larger cover previously disposed on the drum, underanother cover, or overlap any portion of another cover, section, orsubsection. In one exemplary use, a cover section 25 could be disposedover the exemplary drum with a color or message or symbol or logo orannouncement (e.g. red and white stripes, text: “MOWERS AHEAD” or“WORKERS AHEAD” for work zones, “EXIT OPEN”, “EXIT CLOSED”, “WATCH FORICE”, etc.). In use, a worker could place a cover section 25 over adrum, or several cover sections 25 in a row or pattern over one orseveral drums, to delineate a work area. The drum or drums could alreadyhave a cover over the drum, which could have been secured or attached tosuch drum or drums previously. The workers could then perform theirwork, and subsequently remove the cover section(s) 25 from the exemplarydrum or drums, without removing any other cover(s) previously disposedon the drum(s). In this exemplary use, the cover sections 25 could beused to provide secondary, additional, or heightened awareness of asituation within a previously marked worksite, for example.

Another exemplary use of cover sections 25 could involve concerts orsporting events, e.g. by ride sharing services (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.)to announce or delineate areas of drop off or pick up, and can be used,for example, by parking attendants to highlight parking and no parkingzones or by event officials to provide additional information inspecific areas of an event (e.g. assistance, direction, guidance,safety, location, or special location). Even further, cover sections 25could be utilized at events, e.g. by sponsors or advertisers, tohighlight specific areas or to highlight the advertisers themselves, orto highlight the advertiser's products, services, booths, incentives,contests, or other special announcements. These cover sections 25 can beformed in a similar manner as the covers otherwise detailed in thisdisclosure, e.g. with elastic or other securement/attachment meansprovided, with two open ends or with one open end, as a wrap, etc. If,for example, the cover sections 25 were formed as a strip or wrap, theends of the wrap could be attachable by any means detailed in thisdisclosure, including, e.g., elastic, hook and loop fasteners, snaps orbuttons, hooks, zippers, other fasteners, or other fastening means, etc.

FIG. 2 shows one exemplary method or process 30 of forming a cover for achannelizer drum or barrel. The process shown in FIG. 2 starts at 32where a device to be covered is selected and proceeds to 34 where thedimensions/shape/design/configuration of the device to be covered aremeasured/recorded. At 36, one or more raw materials are selected.Optionally, at 38, the raw material selected can be a knitted, woven,nonwoven, polymeric film or other material, dyed or printed upon withappropriate or required size, single or multiple message(s), pattern(s),logo(s), symbol(s), or other indicia or markings. At 40, the rawmaterials selected are cut, formed, knitted, woven, or otherwise sizedto the proper dimensions. At 42, the cut piece(s) of substrate orsubstrates are arranged, folded, or otherwise configured to conform theselected design or device. At 44, the piece or pieces are assembled,such as by sewing, thermal bonding or sealing, sonic welding, RFwelding, or adhesive or non-adhesive bonding. At 46, securing components48 can be added to the cover by installing adhesive, buckles, elastic,binding, fasteners, grommets, hooks, piping, snaps, straps, webbing,thread, molded trim (e.g. J-channel or U-channel, including trim(s) fromBD Custom Mfg. of Bristol, IN for example) or other components bysewing, thermal bonding or sealing, sonic welding, RF welding, adhesiveor non-adhesive bonding, and/or riveting, for example. A finished coverdisposed over a channelizer drum is shown at 50.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate exemplary method or process 60 of forming acover for a channelizer drum or barrel. The process shown in FIG. 3starts at 62 where a device to be covered is selected and proceeds to 64where the dimensions/shape/design/configuration of the device to becovered are measured/recorded. At 66, one or more raw materials areselected. At 68, raw material or yarn is circular or three-dimensionallyknitted to the size and shape required to substantially match the devicedimensions measured in 64. Optionally, at 70, the raw material selectedcan be dyed or printed upon with appropriate or required size, single ormultiple message(s), pattern(s), logo(s), symbol(s), or other indicia ormarkings. At 72, the raw materials selected are cut, formed, knitted,woven, or otherwise sized to the proper dimensions. At 74, securingcomponents 76 can be added to the cover by installing adhesive, buckles,elastic, binding, fasteners, grommets, piping, snaps, straps, webbing,thread or other components by use of sewing, thermal bonding or sealing,sonic welding, RF welding, adhesive or non-adhesive bonding, and/orriveting, for example. A finished cover disposed over a channelizer drumis shown at 78.

FIG. 4 shows various exemplary symbols that can be applied to achannelizer drum cover 10, such as those formed in the processesoutlined in FIGS. 2 and 3 or for covers detailed in variations outlinedhereinbelow. The exemplary symbols can be formed in combinations and canvary in size, shape, color, and composition from the representationsshown in FIG. 4 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the symbols include arrows at 80,a slippery surface symbol at 82, chevrons at 84, a pedestrian symbol at86, the text “Workers Ahead” at 88, and the text “Slow Down” at 90.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary application of a channelizer drum cover. Asshown in FIG. 5 , the device to be covered is selected, here shown as achannelizer drum 5. At 92, the cover 10 to be applied is installed onthe channelizer drum 5. For example, the cover 10 can be grasped andslipped, wrapped, or otherwise installed over, onto, to, around, orabout the channelizer drum 5. The cover 10 can be additionally secured,e.g. by buckling, snapping, fastening with hook and loop, fastening witha custom or non-custom fastening device or overlapping an edge of thedrum to retain at least temporarily the cover 10 on the channelizer drum5. At 94, the combination cover with channelizer drum is shown. Thecombination device 94 can be portable, and can be deposited, disposed,or otherwise placed in a proper location, for example, to direct orinform motorists into specific actions (e.g. “stop” or “go” lights orsigns), to provide verbal or non-verbal announcements, to alertmotorists to specific conditions or events (e.g. “caution” barricades,cones, delineators, drums, signs, etc.), or to channelize (convey ordirect) motorists into specific pathways (e.g. channelizing barricades,cones, delineators, drums, signs, etc.).

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method or process 100 of forming a cover for atraffic cone or other conical shape 95, which method is similar to themethod of forming a cover for a drum as detailed hereinabove (specificsof forming the drum are incorporated by reference here even if notrepeated in specific). The process shown in FIG. 6 starts at 102 where atraffic cone 95 to be covered is selected and proceeds to 104 where thedimensions/shape/design/configuration of the device to be covered aremeasured/recorded. At 106, one or more raw materials are selected.Optionally, at 108, the raw material selected can be a knitted, woven,nonwoven, polymeric film, or other material, dyed or printed upon withappropriate or required size, single or multiple message(s), pattern(s),logo(s), symbol(s), or other indicia or markings. At 110, the rawmaterials selected are cut, formed, knitted, woven, or otherwise sizedto the proper dimensions. At 112, the cut piece(s) of substrate orsubstrates are arranged, folded, or otherwise configured to conform theselected design or device. At 114, the piece or pieces are assembled,such as by sewing, thermal bonding or sealing, sonic welding, RFwelding, or adhesive or non-adhesive bonding. At 116, securingcomponents 118 can be added to the cover by installing adhesive,buckles, elastic, binding, fasteners, grommets, piping, snaps, straps,webbing, thread or other components by use of sewing, thermal bonding orsealing, sonic welding, RF welding, adhesive or non-adhesive bonding,and/or riveting, for example. The cover can be applied around, onto, orto a traffic cone 95. If the cover is formed as a sleeve with two openends or in a conical shape with one open end and one closed end, eitherone of the open ends, or the open end, can be slid over an upper portionof the traffic cone 95 and moved over the traffic cone 95 to cover atleast a portion of the traffic cone with one end of the cover at one endof the traffic cone and with the other end of the cover at the other endof the traffic cone. The open ends can each, alternatively, include anattachment or securement means to retain at least temporarily, robustly,semi-permanently, or permanently, the cover on or to the traffic cone95. Such attachment or securement means can comprise, for example,elastic, binding, piping, hook and loop fasteners, strap(s), Velcro®,snaps, trims, molded fasteners, j-channel fasteners, u-channelfasteners, molded flexible fasteners or strips, pieces or portions ofthe same or different material, secondary material attachments, rigid orsemi-rigid materials, and/or combinations of these and other custom ornon-custom fasteners or fastening devices or devices providing maximumfastening or light fastening. In one arrangement, an elastic can besecured to the open ends of the cover, e.g. by folding a length ofelastic over a portion of the cover and securing the elastic to thecover or by folding a portion of the cover to form a pocket into which alength of elastic can be disposed with the folded portion of the coverthen secured to retain the elastic in the pocket. Or alternatively anelastic can be secured to the open ends of the cover, by applying alength of elastic over a portion of the cover and securing the elasticto the cover. The elastic can be secured onto, to, or within the coverby fasteners, glue, staples, sewing, fusing, radio frequency welding,sonic welding, snapping, tacking, thermal welding, weaving, zipping, orcombinations of these. Optionally, the cover can be formed with only oneopen end, two open ends, one open end and one closed end, or with twoclosed ends as desired. Or alternatively, the cover can be formed withan upper and lower portion or smaller portion or plurality of portions.Additionally, the cover 10 can be dyed, printed, embossed, sewn, orotherwise provided with appropriate or required size, single, ormultiple message(s), pattern(s), logo(s), or symbol(s) as indicated at20. Once the cover 10 is disposed on a traffic cone, an open end is atan upper portion of the traffic cone and can provide ready access to atraffic cone's top, which can include a hole or handle, or to a coverperimeter edge, which can allow the cover to be readily and easilygrasped and removed from the traffic cone. A finished cover disposedover a cone is shown at 120.

Alternatively, the cover can be formed as a wrap that is wrapped aroundor about the traffic cone and secured at least temporarily to thetraffic cone. If formed as a wrap, the wrap can include securementelements that can assist in securing or retaining the wrap onto, around,or about the traffic cone, with such securement elements attaching atleast part of the wrap to itself, or attaching at least one part of thewrap to the traffic cone, or attaching at least part of the wrap toitself and to the traffic cone.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary application of a traffic cone cover 121. Asshown in FIG. 7 , the device to be covered is selected, here a trafficcone 95. At 122, the cover 121 to be applied is installed on the trafficcone 95. For example, the cover 121 can be grasped and slipped, wrapped,or otherwise installed over, on, around, or about the traffic cone 95.The cover 121 can be additionally secured, e.g. by buckling, snapping,fastening with hook and look, to retain at least temporarily the cover121 on the traffic cone 95. At 124, the traffic cone 95 can be portable,and can be deposited, disposed, or otherwise placed in a properlocation, for example, to direct or inform motorists into specificactions (e.g. “stop” or “go” lights or signs), to provide verbal ornon-verbal announcements, to alert motorists to specific conditions orevents (e.g. “caution” barricades, cones, delineators, drums, signs,etc.), or to channelize (convey or direct) motorists into specificpathways (e.g. channelizing barricades, cones, delineators, drums,signs, etc.).

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary method or process of forming a cover for aJ-Barrier or similar shaped barrier or barricade 155, which method issimilar to the method of forming a cover for a drum and/or conical shapeas detailed hereinabove (specifics of forming the drum and/or conicalshape are incorporated by reference here even if not repeated inspecific). The process shown in FIG. 8 starts at 132 where a J-Barrier155 to be covered is selected and proceeds to 134 where thedimensions/shape/design/configuration of the J-barrier 155 to be coveredare measured/recorded. At 136, one or more raw materials are selected.Optionally, at 138, the raw material selected can be a knitted, woven,nonwoven, polymeric film, or other material, dyed or printed upon withappropriate or required size, single or multiple message(s), pattern(s),logo(s), symbol(s), or other indicia or markings. At 140, the rawmaterials selected are cut, formed, knitted, woven, or otherwise sizedto the proper dimensions. At 142, the cut piece(s) of substrate orsubstrates are arranged, folded, or otherwise configured to conform theselected design or device. At 144, the piece or pieces are assembled,such as by sewing, thermal bonding or sealing, sonic welding, RFwelding, or adhesive or non-adhesive bonding. At 146, securingcomponents 148 can be added to the cover by installing adhesive,buckles, elastic, binding, fasteners, grommets, piping, snaps, straps,webbing, thread or other components by use of sewing, thermal bonding orsealing, sonic welding, RF welding, adhesive or non-adhesive bonding,and/or riveting, for example. Once the cover 151 is disposed on theJ-Barrier 155, the open end is at an upper portion of the J-Barrier 155and can provide ready access to a J-Barrier's top, which could includeaccess to an integrated handle or other feature, and to a perimeter edgeof the cover 151, which can allow the cover to be readily and easilygrasped and removed from the J-Barrier 155. A finished cover disposedover a J-Barrier 155 is shown at 154.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary application of a J-Barrier cover 151. As shownin FIG. 9 , the device to be covered is selected, here a J-Barrier 155.At 152, the cover 151 to be applied is installed on the J-Barrier 155.For example, the cover 151 can be grasped and slipped, wrapped, orotherwise installed over, on, around, or about the J-Barrier 155. Thecover 151 can be additionally secured, e.g. by buckling, snapping,fastening with hook and look, to retain at least temporarily the cover151 on the J-Barrier 155. At 154, the J-Barrier 155 can be portable, andcan be deposited, disposed, or otherwise placed in a proper location,for example, to display a message, warn of an impending event, or funneltraffic.

FIGS. 10-11 show additional exemplary covers for channelizer drums. FIG.10 shows a drum with a cover with an arrow at and FIG. 11 shows a drumwith a cover with “WORK ZONE” at 158.

FIGS. 12-15 show exemplary embodiments of traffic control devicechannelizer drum covers, including retroreflective materials laminatedto a textile. FIG. 12 shows a drum with a cover including multiplestripes at 160. The cover in FIG. 12 is a Rapid Repair Sleeve™ (RRS™)that provides safety improvement with instant repair and compliance fora drum or device, continuing compliance as a countermeasure for mixeddrum sheeting zones, rapid installation (typically one minute or less),green practice by delaying replacement and reusing non-compliant drum,multiple striping options including retro reflectivity and size, and thecapability of meeting/exceeding standards, e.g. MASH and MUTCD. FIGS.13-14 show symbols, designs, or combinations of retroreflectivematerials, symbols, and designs for channelizer drums. The cover(s)shown in FIG. 13 is a Warning Sleeve™ (WS™) that provides warning bysupplementing existing drums and signage, provides safety improvement byreducing confusion for an aging population, provides flexibility incustomization with any desired symbol and/or text, rapid installation(typically one minute or less), green practice by delaying replacementand reusing non-compliant drum, and the capability of meeting/exceedingstandards, e.g. MASH and MUTCD. The cover(s) shown in FIG. 14 is aPositive Guidance Sleeve™ (PGS™) that provides positive guidance bysupplementing existing signage, provides safety improvement by reducingconfusion for an aging population, provides flexibility in customizationwith any desired symbol and/or text, rapid installation (typically oneminute or less), green practice by delaying replacement and reusingnon-compliant drum, and the capability of meeting/exceeding standards,e.g. MASH and MUTCD. The cover(s) shown in FIG. 15 is a DirectionalIndicator Barricade Sleeve™ (DIBS™) that provides safety improvementover conventional DIBs as being more robust, provides convenience byincreasing the availability of drums that increases ease and/or theopportunity for use, provides lower cost in comparison to conventionalbarricades, provides improvement with omni-directional and/or redundantindicators, which redundancy ensures orientation does not inhibitmessage delivery, provides rapid installation (typically one minute orless), green practice by delaying replacement and reusing non-compliantdrum, and the capability of meeting/exceeding standards, e.g. MASH.

FIGS. 16-17 show additional exemplary covers for traffic cones, grabcones, or delineators. Specifically, FIG. 16 shows a traffic cone coverand FIG. 17 shows a delineator or grab cone cover.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 160 of forming a cover.As shown in FIG. 18 , a method of laminating retroreflective material(s)or substrates to textile (knitted or woven), fabric (nonwoven), or othersubstrate (polymeric film) in one exemplary process that includes:providing textile, fabric, or other substrates at 162; providingretroreflective material(s) at 164; laminating the textile, fabric, orsubstrate to retroreflective material(s) to form a combination laminatedretroreflective material at 166; and forming a cover, ring, partialcover, or sleeve from the combination laminated retroreflective materialfor end use utility as a traffic control device cover, ring, partialcover, or sleeve at 168.

The cover(s) detailed herewithin can be formed from any material capableof being used as. For example, the cover(s) can be a flexible substratecover, primarily consisting of paper, plastics (polypropylene,polyethylene, polyurethane, TPU, etc.) or textile (acrylic, cotton,nylon, polyester, etc.) designed, configured, formed or sized toencapsulate, cover, conform to or enclose, either in whole or part, all,or portions thereof, the surface area of a Temporary or PermanentTraffic Control Device or Traffic Control Sign (TCS). Further, a coverfor a TCD or TCS can add, augment, improve, supplement or enhance thefunction, performance, intent or purpose of an existing TCD or TCS, bymeans of color, reflection, illumination, text, symbol, electronic orairwave frequency non-verbal and verbal “messaging”. The cover(s) can bedesigned, configured, or assembled by cutting, sewing, thermal sealing,sonic welding, RF welding, adhesive or non-adhesive bonding, 3Dprinting, 3D knitting, 3D weaving, or combinations thereof, or any othermeans of forming the cover(s).

The cover(s) can be designed, configured, or assembled as a singlepiece, multiple pieces, single substrate piece, or multiple substratepieces combined into a finished cover. The cover(s) can be designed,configured or assembled using singular, or multiple components combinedinto a finished cover. The cover(s) can combine singular or multiplecomponents into a finished cover and could, alternatively include;adhesive, buckles, elastic, binding, fasteners, piping, snaps, straps,thread or similar components to enhance or optimize the performance orsecurity of the cover. The cover(s) can include additional features,such as color, reflectivity, or illumination of the cover, either inwhole or part, and can be generally or logically coupled to awell-known, or newly implemented, messaging system, to convey, transmit,or assist in the transmission of a singular message (e.g. caution), ormultiple messages (e.g. caution, work zone ahead, active work zone,extreme caution, hot zone, etc.) installed, integrated or present and“visible” on the cover. The cover(s) can provide, announce, display, orotherwise convey any form of electronic text message, symbol, audiblesound, or audible sound message and can be generally or logically tiedto a well-known or newly implemented messaging system, to convey asingular message (e.g. caution), or multiple messages (e.g. accidentahead, caution, work zone ahead, active work zone, extreme caution, exitopen, exit closed, road open, road closed, slow down, etc.) installed,integrated or present on the cover, communicating the message ormessages by means of analog or digital airwave frequency means,integrated within, or attached as a separate device or devices.

One exemplary method of forming the exemplary cover(s) shown in thefigures is to cut a flexible textile mesh or substrate into a specificconfiguration. The cover(s) can be folded at one end and sewn to theother with multi-filament textile, or monofilament, sewing thread.Additionally, as shown, elastic can be sewn about and around theresulting perimeter edge openings at each end of the sewn single piece'sspecific configuration. The elastic can compress at least partially tosecure the cover's open ends to the channelizer drum.

Although not shown specifically in the figures, the cover(s) can besized and formed to be disposed over an entirety of, or at least aportion of, a traffic barricade cover, a traffic delineator cover, atraffic cone cover, a traffic j-barrier cover, a traffic mile markercover, traffic sign cover, sign cover(s), sign post cover(s), asawhorse(s), and an arm such as arms used in exits, switching lanes,toll lanes and areas, high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, energyefficient priority lanes, or other restrictive lanes. Further still,though not shown specifically in the figures, the cover(s) can be sizedto cover, surround, or otherwise obscure oblong shapes, large shapes,asymmetrical shapes, and/or shapes formed by two or more polygonaldissimilar shapes.

In some embodiments, a cover or cover(s) can be formed in a shapeconfigured to be disposed over a traffic control device, including, forexample, a drum such as a channelizer drum, delineator, or barricade.The cover could also include indicia thereon, such as text, symbols,markings, and/or advertising. The cover or cover(s) can comprise thecover itself, i.e. without additional attachments, such as tape, bands,or other securements applied thereover.

In some embodiments, the cover or cover(s) can include an additionalattachment(s) thereon, thereto, or thereover. Such additionalattachment(s) could, for example, include a reflective orretroreflective element, tape, symbol, object, and/or indicia. Oneexemplary embodiment could include retroreflective tape, with the coverand tape shaped or formed to mimic or otherwise be capable of beingdisposed around or about a drum, such as a diamond or contractor gradedrum, delineator, or other traffic control device. In use, suchexemplary embodiment could be formed to make a drum, delineator, orother traffic control device compliant to meet or satisfy standards fortraffic control devices. For example, if a drum, delineator, or othertraffic control device that was originally compliant had becomenoncompliant and could not satisfy industry and/or government standards,a cover could be disposed over such non-compliant drum, delineator, ordevice to make the noncompliant drum, delineator, or device compliant tosatisfy industry and/or government standards. In this manner, anoncompliant drum, delineator, or traffic control device could berepaired to make it compliant.

In some embodiments, a cover can be a positive guidance drum cover thatcan include markings, indicia, text, symbols, arrows, and/orcombinations of these or otherwise. A positive guidance drum cover canbe used to convey information in addition to the cover itself and/or inaddition to tape, bands, or other additional materials applied to thecover.

In some embodiments, a cover can be a directional indictor barricadecover that includes diagonal, slanted, or offset stripes, which can bedisposed in rows, columns, or overlapping to provide differentretroreflective strips. A directional indicator barricade cover canoffer positive guidance for a barricade, drum, or traffic controldevice. The diagonal stripes or markings can be arranged or otherwisedisposed to provide additional guidance, such as slanting in theintended direction of travel.

In use, a drum can be covered with a cover without additional markings,or can be covered with a cover with compliant markings to make anon-compliant drum, delineator, or traffic control device into acompliant device, or can be covered with a positive guidance drum coverto provide positive guidance, or can be covered with a directionalindicator barricade cover to provide directional indication, or can beselectively covered with one or more of these covers as selected for aparticular situation, location, time, or venue as appropriate and can beselectively changed therebetween covers.

The cover(s) and cover section(s) detailed herein provide a number ofbenefits. Some exemplary benefits of the cover(s) and cover section(s)detailed herewithin include: the cover(s) and cover section(s) afford(s)“no excuse” for damaged drums on roadways that are not DOT compliant,the cover(s) and cover section(s) improve eye level communication inwork zones to improve safety of vehicle users and the work zone, thecover(s) and cover section(s) supplement work zone devices andcommunications, including, but not limited to, warnings and/or positiveguidance, without additionally convoluting the work zone, the cover(s)and cover section(s) reduce work zone confusion for an aging population,and the cover(s) and cover section(s) provide green practice benefits byreducing landfill disposal of DOT non-compliant or damaged drums byextending the useful life of drums that would otherwise be DOTnon-compliant.

The present cover(s) can be understood more readily by reference to theinstant detailed description, examples, and claims. It is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems,devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as suchcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only andis not intended to be limiting.

The instant description of the invention is provided as an enablingteaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be madeto the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial resultsof the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of thedesired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selectingsome of the features of the present invention without utilizing otherfeatures. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize thatmany modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possibleand can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of thepresent invention. Thus, the instant description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the present invention and not inlimitation thereof.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, reference to a “body” includes aspects having two or morebodies unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in theforegoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the artthat many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come tomind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teachingpresented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It isthus understood that the invention is not limited to the specificaspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and otheraspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as wellas in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic anddescriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the describedinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover comprising: a material; fasteningelements attached to the material; wherein the fabric is material to bedisposed over a device.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the material issized to be disposed, on, at, over, about, or around a conical shape. 3.The cover of claim 2 wherein the conical shape is a traffic cone.
 4. Thecover of claim 1 wherein the material is sized to be disposed, on, at,over, about, or around a barrier.
 5. The cover of claim 4 wherein thebarrier is a J-barrier.
 6. A cover for a channelizer drum, the covercomprising: a material formed in a sleeve; the sleeve having at leastone open end; the sleeve having at least one fastening element attachedto the material; wherein the sleeve is sized to be disposed on, at,over, about, or around the channelizer drum with the fastening elementat a lower portion of the channelizer drum.
 7. The cover of claim 6wherein the material is sized to be disposed, on, at, over, about, oraround a conical shape.
 8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the conicalshape is a traffic cone.
 9. The cover of claim 6 wherein the material issized to be disposed, on, at, over, about, or around a barrier.
 10. Thecover of claim 9 wherein the barrier is a J-barrier.
 11. A method ofusing a cover for a channelizer drum, the method comprising: forming amaterial into a sleeve having at least one open end; attaching at leastone fastening element to the material; disposing the sleeve on, at,over, about, or around the channelizer drum with the fastening elementat a lower portion of the channelizer drum.
 12. The method of claim 11wherein the material is sized to be disposed, on, at, over, about, oraround a conical shape.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the conicalshape is a traffic cone.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the materialis sized to be disposed, on, at, over, about, or around a barrier. 15.The method of claim 14 wherein the barrier is a J-barrier.